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Testing Environment: You are currently working in a testing area separate from the live site. Some things may appear different because they're under active development.

What is available in the Makerspace?

The Blugold Makerspace has a variety of equipment and materials available for the campus community to use. Wherever possible, we provide material at no cost. When we do charge, it is only enough to keep the space sustainable for future projects.

In this creative space, we know there is no way to predict what direction your creativity will take you. If there are any supplies you feel the space should have available to help you explore, please use the form at the bottom of the page to suggest it to us. 

Some of the available equipment and supplies already available to you are:

Art Supplies

The Blugold Makerspace received a large donation of supplies from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Art department to help us get started. We have also purchased additional supplies to round out our offerings for creative projects.

  • A wide variety of acrylic/watercolor paints, palettes, & brushes
  • Wood/super/glitter glue, tape, colored card stock, 
  • Canvases (Available for purchase)
    • 5" x 7" Stretched, Acrylic primed ($1.00)
    • 8" x 10" Stretched, Acrylic primed ($2.00)
    • 11" x 14" Stretched, Acrylic primed ($4.00)
    • 12" x 16" Stretched, Acrylic primed ($5.00)
    • 16" x 20" Stretched, Acrylic primed ($8.00)
    • 5" x 7" Canvas Panel, Acrylic primed ($0.50)
    • 8" x 10" Canvas Panel, Acrylic primed ($1.00)
    • 9" x 12" Canvas Panel, Acrylic primed ($1.50)
    • 11" x 14" Canvas Panel, Acrylic primed ($2.00)
  • Watercolor Sheets (Available for purchase)
    • 9" x 12" ($0.20)
    • 11" x 15" ($0.35)
3D Printers

The Blugold Makerspace has four 3D printers available for campus community use. Two are Prusa i3 MK3s Printers and two Prusa Mini printers. These printers are available on a first come, first serve basis.

In order to pay for the materials used in 3D printing, we do charge $.05/Gram for any print. You will also be expected to pay for the filament used in printing failures in the event of non-equipment related issues.

We require a brief 30-45 minute training course to use the 3D printers. This will cover the safety concerns of the printers and the software training required to operate them. Training is offered during any of the makerspace's open hours by the staff on-hand.


Our process for printing involves:

  1. Locating or generating a 3D printing model as an STL(.stl) file. Thingiverse is our primary source of pre-generated 3D models
  2. Import the STL file from step 1 above into the program PrusaSlicer and identify specifics of how the print should be done (supports, brims, layer height, and density). This is then exported as a GCode file (.gcode) that can be read by the printers
  3. Speak with the makerspace staff to make sure the print will finish in a timely manner. You can then load the GCode file generated in step 2 above onto the printer's SD card and begin the print and log you name and time on the sheet near the printing station
  4. Once printing is complete, the item and support material are weighed and billed to the patron's library account. The finished prints can be picked up in the makerspace with your campus ID. Fees can be paid at the circulation desk on the library's first floor

 

Sewing/Quilting

The Blugold Makerspace has 2 sewing machines and a Serger available for use. They are available on a first come, first serve basis and do require training to operate.

In addition to the sewing machines, we also have:

  • Clothes iron and ironing table
  • Rotary cutters, straight edges, and cutting mats
  • Sewing kits that include thread, needles, scissors, seam rippers, pins, and fabric pencils
  • Large assortment of remnant fabrics provided for free use
Laser Cutter

The Blugold Makerspace has added a laser cutter to its list of offerings. Staff will run projects on demand as time allows.
If you would like to learn more or line up a project: Make a Consultation Request.

We do have a limited supply of materials on-hand, but it is recommended that you consider procuring your own resources for projects. 
All materials must be inspected before use by makerspace staff. Some materials (PVC, Vinyl, Teflon/PTFE, Pleather) are very bad to use in the laser cutter, and can result in damage to the machine and a health hazard to all present.

Our laser bed can handle projects up to 19.5' tall by 31.5' wide by 10' high.

Projects are prepared using editing software (Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape) before the lasering process. See our guide for additional information.

Laser Cutter & Accessories:

Example Projects:

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